Bracelet construction



Aug. 25, 193 13 c. A. MEALY 7 1,820,576

BRACELET CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 10, 1950 I jwercia7 fl ldwzea @W MM provements;

Patented Aug. 25, 1931 UNI E STATES PATENT, FFI

CHARLES A. MEALY, or WEST HARRINGTON, anon-n ISL ND; Assrenon o THE HADLEY COMPANY, INC., OF

RHODE ISLAND Application filed December 10, 1930. Serial No. 501,266.

This invention relates to improvements in bracelets for wrist watches or the like, and the principal purpose of the invention is to provide a flexible bracelet band, belt, strap,

5 or the like,-which is unique in construction and'design, comfortableto the wearer, and distinctly ornamental and attractive in appearance. 7

.. Morespecifically, the general object of 1 the invention is the provision of a flexible bracelet band having a body portion provided with series of spaced openings fitted with metalreinforcements of pleasing de-. sign, and strengthening links engaging the 15 reinforcing elements of adjacent openings so that longitudinal strain upon the bracelet is borne largely by the metal reinforcements and links rather than by the body material itself. I

Recommended embodiments of the inven-' tion are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a planview of a section of a watch bracelet embodying the aforesaid im- Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the bracelet member;

' Fig. 3 is a plan'view' of a modified form of bracelet;

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating a further modification;

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4:;

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of one of the strengthening links shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; and a Fig. 7 is a sectional view through an optional form of reinforcement.

The body portion 8 of the improved bracelet may be formed of leather, fabric, or other ornamental material suitable for bracelets, belts or the like, and said body, has a series of spaced apertures 9 which lighten the strap and enhance the appearance of the bracelet in accordance with the present vogue which tends to endorse openlink chains or bracelets for personal wear. The openings 9 are fitted with eyelets 10 or other metal reinforcements of attractive finish and pleasing design which preferably the strap or band 8. I

The connecting members 14 which st "and which strengthen the eyeleted portions jof the strap. 8 against longitudinal strain, :preferably which pass through adjacent openings 9 and I bracelet.

links, and the members 14 constitute flexible connectors for adjacent links; otherwiseithe construction of the bracelet section is'subforcin g its central opening, and an outer,-

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISL-AND,;A CORPORATION OF BRACELET oolvs'rnucirron a afford "a desirable jcontrast to the body of.

T The; eyelets} 10 may consist of a single pieceof metal inserted through theapen "tures and 'having peripherals flanges ,11 5s curled or crimp ed over upon opposite faces of the strap 2) or they may comprise a pair of separable, telescoping members 12, "13 as shown in Fig. 7 Itwill be' under'-; 'stoodthatjthe eyeletsma'y be rectangular, "circularo'r of any appropriate contour and that their'exposed surfaces may be smooth finished or ornamentedfas desired.

rad- '1 cue diac t les of adjoining eyelets comprise closed metal links are permanently or removably secured in i0 engagement with the eyelets 10. I As best shownin Fig. 6, each link may be formed from a hollow blank of ductile metal rolled into'tubular shapefso thatits ends 15 are; in abutting relation, thus providing spaced,

parallel 'crossbars lt'which encircle an ad- 'jacent pair ofeyel ets' 10 The ends l5 preferably-meet at the under side ofthe band 8, so that the connecting members appear to comprise ndividual tw n l nks when 'i'ob- S0 served. from the upper or outer sidelof 'the Inithe modification shown in Fig. 3, the eyeleted portions'l8 of the strap bodyare separated in the manner ofspaced rings or stantially identical tofthat'of Figs. 1 and 2. Thev further variation illustrated in Figs. {and 5 comprises interconnected links each including a body portion 28 of leather, fabric or the like, an eyelet member 20 rein reinforcement or rim 21 embracing the perip'hery of the bodyportion; and inthis instance the connecting members are formed with'a single'crossbarf24. I,

Other variations infthe structural details i of the improved strap or band are obviously within the purview of this invention, and it lets for flexibly interconnecting said porwill be apparent that the improved article tions.

may be employed as a section of a watch bracelet equipped with any suitable form of connectors, clasps or extensible attachments or may be of suflicient length to constitute a permanently closed or separable band, bracelet or belt. In the form of Fig. 1, the leather strap section 8 maybe attached to the lugs 25 of a wrist watch 26 by means of a pin 27 extending through an eye at the end of the strap and into apertures in the lugs 25.

From the foregoing it is evident that the body of the bracelet strap or band may be formed in a continuous strip or in separate sections, of material such as leather, fabric or the like which, when ci t out to provide the desirable openings, may be relatively weak or flexible and subject to distortion or damage under strain; that the metal eyelets which are fitted to said openings reinforce and tend to stiffen the body material; and that any longitudinal strain upon the bracelet section is borne by the relatively rigid eyelets and the connecting members which straddle the openings and engage the eyelets. Such a construction notv only represents a mechanical improvement but more especially lends itself to attractive and ornamental display, for the respective parts of the bracelet may exhibit contrasting textures, colors, configurations or designs which enhance the value of the article and satisfy the vogue of the movement in useful and decorative jewelry.

I claim:

1. A bracelet band or the like comprising a body having spaced apertures therethrough, reinforcing members fitted to said a ertures, and connecting links straddling adjacent apertures and engaging their reinforcements so that longitudinal strain upon the band is borne by said reinforcing members and links.

2. A bracelet band or the like comprising a continuous body havingspaced a ertures therethrough, reinforcing eyelets t tted to said apertures, and metal links encircling adjacent portions of adjoining eyelets, the eIyclQtS and links bearing longitudinal strain upon the band.

3. A bracelet band or the like comprising a body having apertured portions spaced longitudinally from each other, reinforcing eyelets fitted to, the apertures of the respective portions, and metal links encircling adjacent sides of adjoining eyelets for flexibly interconnecting said portions.

4. A bracelet band or the like comprising a body having apertured portions spaced longitudinally from each other, reinforcing eyelets fitted to the apertures of the respectlve portions, metal r ms embracing the peripheries of said portions, and metal links encircling adjacent sides of adjoining eye- Signed by me at Providence, Rhode Island, this fourth day of December, 1980.

CHARLES A. MEALY. 

